Record broadcast revenues being invested into grassroots

UK sports bodies invested £213.2m worth of broadcast revenues in growing grassroots sports in the past year. The record amount represents an increase of £15.3m, compared to the previous compliance period.

The funding forms part of the Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Broadcasting of Major Sporting Events, which is administered and supported by the Sport and Recreation Alliance.

The Code requires signatories to put a minimum of 30% of net broadcasting revenues back into their respective sports and to make their events available to free-to-air broadcasters in live, recorded or highlights format so they can be viewed by as many people as possible.

Those compliant with the requirements of the code included The Football Association, the Rugby Football League, Rugby Football Union, The England and Wales Cricket Board, The R&A and the Lawn Tennis Association (jointly with the All England Lawn Tennis Club on behalf of The Championships, Wimbledon).

Chair of the Sports Broadcast Monitoring Committee, Nick Humby, said: “I am pleased to announce that we have seen yet another increase to the record levels of investment into grassroots sports by signatories to the Voluntary Code on Broadcasting.”